Some suggestions please

I'm in construction and need a nice, durable LED flashlight for work. I'd like to keep it under 30, but it has to be pretty bright. An adjustable beam would be great, but not necessary.

I'd say go with the Streamlight propoly...

check it out:
http://www.batteryjunction.com/stpr4aaluled.html

So is this model of the propoly good?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006704VW/?tag=cpf0b6-20

a little above your budget, but it might be worth waiting for reviews of the fenix e20. 38 bucks, 109 lumens, good brand and adjustable head.
https://www.fenix-store.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_69_71&products_id=498
....the streamlight is under 30, but is pretty dim and also not adjustable. Plus a plastic housing inst going to be as tough as the fenix airplane aluminum.

johnny_blaze said:

So is this model of the propoly good?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006704VW/?tag=cpf0b6-20

Click to expand...

That's a different model... That has 7, 5mm LEDs... The one I pointed you to has just one, 1 watt Luxeon LED.. I only have experience with the luxeon model, and it's a great torch... Never used the 7, 5mm version though I'd say that it will not throw anywhere near as far, or be as bright as the luxeon version.

yeah I also get the feeling those stats aren't right.....67 lumens for 155 hours?? Seems unlikely

What about this one?

http://www.batteryjunction.com/tm-116x.html

johnny_blaze said:

What about this one?

http://www.batteryjunction.com/tm-116x.html

Click to expand...

dont know anything about the light but it looks ok, are you ok with cr123's? Some ppl prefer a more common battery type. Maybe you would be interested in a mag drop in?

I have a Nuwai Lux V light. It is very bright, but it runs hot and therefore it does not have great battery life. I would also suggest the Streamlight ProPoly 4AA Lux model, [which I have two of]. I think it would be GREAT at a worksite, and plenty bright for almost all applications. A bit over a year ago, IIRC, someone did a test of it where they dropped it from 50 ft onto concrete seven times and it still worked. He was going to drop it again the next day, but the light "walked away" - someone must have felt sorry for it. There are very few aluminum lights that could withstand that kind of abuse. ProPolys are well know for their toughness. Streamlights are made in USA with a great replacement policy - pretty much no questions asked. For a worksite, I also think a light using AAs would be the best.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JCX79K/?tag=cpf0b6-20


So is this the same thing as the Propoly suggested, with the only difference being the 3C's compared to the 4AA's?

I'd like a little more context about what you want to use the light for. I'm in a related field (Structural Engineer) and I use a few lights when I'm out on a construction jobsite:

Inova Bolt 2AA: This is my basic "go to" light. Small enough to carry in a belt sheath or pocket, so it's always with me. Bright enough for most close/mid ranged tasks. Tough as nails. Honestly tho' in this category you can go with a variety of lights, including the Fenix E20. The rubber grip on the Inova is nice when you're working in the rain.

Task Force Cree 2C: This is my "goin' spelunkin'" light for when I'm doing surveys below ground. Long throw and tight hotspot means I can light up something far across the way without getting overly blinded by having all the framing next to me lit up.

Petzl Myo XP: Nothing beats a headlamp when you gotta go hands-free, whether it's monkeying around in the rafters, or having to work on some power tool that's gone down on you.

Oh, which reminds me. There is one place where plastic rules over aluminum lights, and that's if you're going to be working anywhere near the electrical guys. Nothing like dropping a light and having it short across a circuit. In which case I'd definitely suggest either the ProPoly or something from Pelican.

johnny_blaze said:

What about this one?

http://www.batteryjunction.com/tm-116x.html

Click to expand...

Not terrible for the price, but it is a battery eater and not as bright as modern LEDs. Like Wyeast stated above if you have a specific use in mind it'll help us narrow down the search a bit. Small for pocket carry like a 1xAA light? Or something a bit larger like the afformentioned Lowe's Task Force Cree?

Also if you jump up to ~$50 price range you get a big leap in quality and performance as far as small, compact lights are concerned.

CostCo has the Leatherman light called the Monarch 500, a Cree light with purported 140 or so lumens, and I believe it. It is sturdy stainless steel construction, runs with a surprisingly decent runtime on 3 AAA's, has a sturdy nylon holster, and even comes with an extra set of AAA's, and it has good throw along with adjustable focus. All for $29 or so. Great light.

Wyeast said:

I'd like a little more context about what you want to use the light for. I'm in a related field (Structural Engineer) and I use a few lights when I'm out on a construction jobsite:

Click to expand...

I'm a superintendent, so I'm not exactly doing grunt labor any more, but I do a lot of inspections and checkups on everything my laborers do, and that requires a flashlight quite a bit. The more I think about it, the more adjustable settings seem important to me.

mcmc said:

CostCo has the Leatherman light called the Monarch 500, a Cree light with purported 140 or so lumens, and I believe it. It is sturdy stainless steel construction, runs with a surprisingly decent runtime on 3 AAA's, has a sturdy nylon holster, and even comes with an extra set of AAA's, and it has good throw along with adjustable focus. All for $29 or so. Great light.

Click to expand...

I saw this and a Dorcy light set there, but wasn't sure about buying either.

I'd suggest looking at this thread. The main problem is that most of the lights in that thread take a while to ship to you.

How much runtime, performance, and battery would you like?
What about different modes(low, high, etc)?

If you don't mind slower shipping, I'd suggest something like this or this because of the smaller size and good output.

:welcome:

johnny_blaze said:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JCX79K/?tag=cpf0b6-20


So is this the same thing as the Propoly suggested, with the only difference being the 3C's compared to the 4AA's?

Click to expand...

Here's a review of that light:
Link ~ http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/streamlight_propoly_3c.htm

How about a Maglite with an LED? The 2-AA and 3-AA models can both be found for under $30, and you can usually find a 2-3 cell D for under that too.

If adjustable light output is important, a Fenix L2D might be the right light. This can be carried in a pocket, if that is important.

My first post here forgot something important....Welcome to CPF.

The L2D is a great first light, but it is way above what you are budgeting for yourself.

You can get some nice lights at DX. In my opnion this one is a great bargain. It fits within your budget, offers 3 different output levels, plus strobe and SOS. It gives you a Q5, one of the latest LED's out there, operates off a single AA, and will give you a light output of about 120 lumens on max. Its beam is quite nice without the usual Cree artifacts you see on most lights.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.10688